Cost of living in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 55% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 435 prices entered by 60 different people.
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Food | + 34% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 34% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 | $17 | + 32% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 | $11 | + 2% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 | $5.10 | + 23% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.37 | $0.98 | + 39% | |
12 eggs, large | $6 | $4.48 | + 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $8 | $3.37 | + 126% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 | $6 | + 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $6 | $4.14 | + 47% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.62 | $2.29 | + 14% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.27 | $2.47 | + 32% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $19 | $18 | + 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $3.61 | $3.04 | + 19% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.52 | $3.05 | + 48% | |
Housing | + 48% | |||
Housing in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 48% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,415 | $2,820 | + 57% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,296 | $2,100 | + 57% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $236 | $255 | - 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,821 | $1,545 | + 83% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,154 | $1,187 | + 81% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $123 | $203 | - 40% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 | $66 | - 15% | |
40” flat screen tv | $548 | $218 | + 151% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $128 | $133 | - 4% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $12 | - 1% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $48 | $22 | + 125% | |
Clothes | + 12% | |||
Clothes in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 12% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $48 | $51 | - 5% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $69 | $48 | + 42% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 | $97 | - 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $117 | $157 | - 26% | |
Transportation | + 117% | |||
Transportation in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 117% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,804 | $27,162 | - 5% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.39 | $0.80 | + 74% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $176 | $61 | + 191% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $18 | $33 | - 46% | |
Personal Care | + 10% | |||
Personal Care in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 10% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 | $8 | + 38% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $25 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $118 | $126 | - 6% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $12 | $9 | + 29% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.24 | $4.70 | - 10% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $5.18 | + 30% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.01 | $3.64 | + 10% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.26 | $2.44 | - 7% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $49 | $27 | + 85% | |
Entertainment | + 30% | |||
Entertainment in Palo Alto, California (United States) is 30% more expensive than in Houston, Texas (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Palo Alto, California | Houston, Texas | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $98 | $67 | + 45% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $28 | $27 | + 3% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $357 | $165 | + 117% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $149 | $93 | + 61% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $16 | + 1% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.77 | $5.48 | + 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $11 | $5.58 | + 91% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $544 | $363 | + 50% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.16 | $0.32 | - 48% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $90 | $44 | + 104% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 | $9 | + 1% | |
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TOTAL | + 55% |

These prices were last updated on February 14, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $12,064 in Palo Alto, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $7,800 in Houston, Texas.
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